Photo by Jason Williard (1981-2016); used by permission.

Darkness? That's okay.
Joy? Revel in it.
Uncomfortable? Let it be.
The pain comes in the struggle to be other than we are at this moment.

Photo by Jason Williard (1981-2016); used by permission.
Taken at the Portland International Rose Test Garden

If we respond with hate
to their spewing of hatred
we only multiply hatred in the world

If we react in fear
when they rattle their sabers
we only perpetuate the battle

Photo by Author

A giant fir tree
stands strong and fierce
trunk trailing skyward
in a straight line
grounded into earth
limbs flying in the wind
but trunk stands steady
I felt that way once

Photo by Jason Williard (1981-2016); used by permission.

we can build walls
or we can build bridges
we can withhold
or we can surrender
we can step into the light
or we can hide in the darkness
each day carries choice
what kind of life do we want

Photo by Kace Rodriguiz on Unsplash

How do I find me?
So much worry
trying to match up
to some invisible idea
of who I should be,
who others want
rather than
just.being.me.

Photo by Farsai Chaikulngamdee on Unsplash

Cycles
ebb
flow
inhale
exhale
expand
contract